Geography:
Lived in New Jersey, New York and Pennsylvania. Originally in three traditional divisions
Munsee, Unami, and Unalactigo.
From history:
Hunters and agriculturers with a hundred years tradition of peace with the Europeans.
Legend tells of their sale of Manhatten to the Dutch; probably a mixup with their sale
of Philadelphia to the English. Also said to have sold Brooklyn, part of their real area.
Forced west by the Iroqouis in the early 1700s, then relocated again and again by "government",
in the end as far west as Texas and Oklahoma.
Individuals:
Tamenend, considered the wisest of all.
From history:
Traditional enemies of the Iroquois, and one of the few nations somewhat feared by that
confederacy.
The alliance with Neutrals and Tobacco people lasted until the 1640's. Around this time
the Iroquois conquered the Huron nation and other neighboring tribes, and then defeated
the Neutrals.
Survivors from these tribes sought Erie for shelter and help. During the next twenty years
the Iroquois and Erie continually attacked each other, but in 1656 the Erie were defeated.
It took until 1680 for the Iroquois to totally eleminate all Erie activity in the area.
Surviving Eries joined other tribes like Tuscarora and Seneca.
From history:
Visited by the Spanish in 1542 and by laSalle in the 1680s.
Living in an area between Spanish and French posts, and maybe getting the worst from
both, can be the reason why they declined fast during the early 1800s, and today are
nonexcistent as a tribe. Some may still be living with other Caddo tribes.
From history:
These tribes were moved to Indian Territory, when the U.S. needed their land.
The most peaceful
removal among the Five Civilized Tribes was the Choctaw in 1820. The other four tribes
followed, with removals becoming increasingly bloodier, from internal skirmishes and bouts
with white men, and from ill treatment.
The Choctaw even brought their crack police force called the Lighthorsemen to Indian
Territory. This law enforcement unit maintained justice and safety for much of the region.
Although a relatively peaceful move, the most tragic Indian removal to Oklahoma was that of
the Cherokee. A portion of the tribe had already moved to Arkansas in the late 18th century.
The rest were forced to move after the removal Act of 1830.
The Cherokees' travels across the Missouri and Arkansas wilderness during harsh winter
months became know in history as the
Trail of Tears because many members of the tribe
died and were buried along the way.
Geography:
Originated along the St. Lawrence, but forced west by the Colonists and other tribes also on
the move.
From history:
They settled in what is now Wisconsin, but were pressed south into Illinois and Indiana,
and later forced to Iowa and Kansas.
The fight to keep their homeland resulted in the
Black Hawk War in 1812,
the last Indian war east of the Mississippi.
Today they are united in Oklahoma with the Sauk.
Individuals:
Ma-ca-tai-me-shi-kia-kiak called "Black (Sparrow) Hawk".